version: "1.0.0" name: gemini-video-gen description: Generate short video clips using Veo 3.1. Async start+poll pattern; returns an MP4 file. Use for product demos, B-roll footage, short animations, or motion design concepts.

Gemini Video Gen

Use this skill to generate short video clips powered by Google Veo 3.1. Video generation is asynchronous: you start a job, then poll until the MP4 is ready.

When to use this skill

• Product demos: Animate a UI flow, show a feature in action, or create a walkthrough clip.
• B-roll footage: Generate background video for a presentation, landing page, or social media post.
• Short animations: Bring a concept, diagram, or illustration to life as a few-second motion clip.
• Motion design concepts: Prototype a logo animation, loading screen, or transition effect.
• Marketing content: Short social clips, teaser videos, or visual hooks.

MCP tools

Async start+poll pattern

Video generation with Veo 3.1 is not instant. The typical workflow is:

1. Call gemini_start_video with a prompt. Receive a job_id.
2. Wait a few seconds (Veo 3.1 typically takes 20-90 seconds for short clips).
3. Call gemini_get_video with the job_id. If status is processing, wait and retry. If status is done, retrieve the output file path.

Do NOT spin-poll aggressively. Wait at least 10 seconds between poll attempts.

Usage pattern

Step 1: Start video generation

{
  "tool": "gemini_start_video",
  "arguments": {
    "prompt": "A mobile phone screen showing a recipe app. The user scrolls through a list of recipes, taps on 'Spaghetti Bolognese', and the detail screen slides in smoothly. Clean, modern UI, soft lighting.",
    "duration_seconds": 5,
    "aspect_ratio": "9:16"
  }
}

Response example: { "job_id": "veo-abc123", "status": "processing" }

Step 2: Poll for completion

{
  "tool": "gemini_get_video",
  "arguments": {
    "job_id": "veo-abc123"
  }
}

Poll every 15 seconds until status is done. Then the response will include an output file path or URL.

Duration and aspect ratio guidance

• duration_seconds is advisory: Veo 3.1 targets the requested length but may produce a clip slightly shorter or longer. Do not use this value for timing-critical applications.
• Common aspect ratios: 16:9 (landscape/desktop), 9:16 (vertical/mobile), 1:1 (square/social).
• Keep clips short (3-8 seconds) for best quality. Longer clips may exhibit drift or inconsistency.

Prompt writing tips

• Describe camera movement if relevant: "slow pan left", "zoom in on the screen", "static shot".
• Specify the subject, setting, and action in the first sentence.
• Mention style: "cinematic", "screen recording style", "flat animation", "photorealistic".
• For UI/app demos, describe the on-screen content explicitly rather than relying on Veo to invent a UI.

Do NOT use this skill for

• Generating still images (use gemini-image-gen).
• Generating audio or music without video (use gemini-audio-tts-music).
• Analyzing or transcribing existing videos (use gemini-file-analysis).
• Long-form video production (Veo 3.1 is optimized for short clips; this skill is not suitable for videos longer than ~30 seconds).
• Real-time or streaming video.